Sen. Lautenberg voices support of Amtrak's Gateway Project

U.S. Senator Frank Lautenberg (D-N.J.) released the following statement after New York's Metropolitan Transportation Authority Chairman Joe Lhota expressed his support for Amtrak's Gateway Tunnel project under the Hudson River.

"As we look at the transportation challenges ahead, Amtrak's Gateway Tunnel is the best option for New Jersey commuters and the entire region," Lautenberg said. "We've already secured $15 million in federal funds for the Gateway project and we will continue pushing this project forward. The existing tunnel cannot keep up with commuters' needs and we need a solution as soon as possible."

The existing 100-year-old rail tunnels into midtown Manhattan are already operating at capacity during rush hour and ridership is expected to double in the next two decades.

To address these immediate concerns following the cancellation of the ARC Tunnel project, Amtrak expedited plans to build new trans-Hudson rail tunnels as part of the Gateway Tunnel project. In addition to increasing the number of N.J. Transit and Amtrak trains into and out of New York, the Gateway project will also expand intercity and high-speed rail service on the Northeast Corridor.